Ultrastructure of developing Isospora suis in cultured cells

The ultrastructure of Isospora suis sporozoites, type-1 meronts, and type-1 merozoites was examined, using transmission electron microscopy of infected cultured cells. The ultrastructure of sporozoites and type-1 merozoites was similar. Each possessed trimembranous pellicles, subpellicular microtubules, a conoid, anterior and posterior polar rings, rhoptries, micronemes, a single vesicular nucleus, tubular mitochondria, Golgi complexes, ribosomes endoplasmic reticula, inactive micropores, amylopectin bodies, lipid bodies, dense bodies, and crystalloid bodies. Merozoites were produced by endodyogeny. Ultrastructural events associated with merozoite production by type-1 meronts are described.